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Project Code [2020-RE-MS-18]
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Project title
SEparating Critical metals ThrOugh mineRal crystallization
Primary Funding Agency
Science Foundation Ireland
Co-Funding Organisation(s)
Environmental Protection Agency
Lead Organisation
University of Dublin, Trinity College (TCD)
Lead Applicant
Juan Diego Rodriguez-Blanco
Project Abstract
The rare-earths are a group of 17 chemical elements that are essential for clean and smart technologies (smartphones, computers, lasers). We extract them from rocks, but in order to be useful industrially, these elements have to be separated from each other. Separation processes are inefficient and environmentally aggressive: large quantities of rare-earths are lost, as they become part of heavily contaminated wastewaters that are not recovered. SEleCTOR will develop clean and cheap methods to separate rare earths from water by designing engineered nanoparticles with targeted structural and surface properties that will control the selective capture of specific rare earths. N/A SFI Frontiers for the Future 2020
Grant Approved
�198,979.90
Research Hub
Green and Circular Economy
Research Theme
Resource efficiency
Initial Projected Completion Date
31/08/2024